University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois I-Mark

Let's Keep the Glow in Old Glory and the Free in Freedom Too

Title
Let's Keep The Glow In Old Glory and the Free In Freedom Too - Lyrics
Composer
Speroy, Robert  
Publisher
Frank K. Root & Co.   
Place of Publication
Chicago (Ill.)  
Lyrics
  • Let’s keep the glow in Old Glory, And the free in freedom too. Verse: O say, can you see, as they did of yore, Floating high, the emblem of the free? It sends us its call as it has before, And it sound from sea to sea Refrain Verse: By day ev’ry thought has the same refrain, Dreams by night, they summon me and you To prove to the world there shall be no stain On the old red white and blue
  • Let’s keep each star in the field of blue as clear as the stars in the sky. Let’s all stand shoulder to shoulder, Let’s keep our loyalty true
  • Let’s Keep the Glow in Old Glory and the Free in Freedom Too Verse: Columbia calls to us all to day, Calls to day, she’s calling me and you. She calls to the boys who have marched away For the old red, white and blue. Refrain: Let’s keep the glow in Old Glory, Let’s keep the flag floating high
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 17, Folder 4
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier
2014_12996_470
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Permalink

https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/ebc0b9e0-c556-0134-2373-0050569601ca-c

Descriptive Information

Title
Let's Keep the Glow in Old Glory and the Free in Freedom Too
Composer
Speroy, Robert [pseudonym for F. Henri Klickmann]  
Lyricist
Nesbit, Wilbur D.  
Publisher
Frank K. Root & Co. [McKinley Music Co.]  
Place of Publication
Chicago (Ill.)  
Year of Publication
1918  
Date of Copyright
1918-04-08
Physical Description
1 score ([1], [2]–[3], [1] p.). Folio.
Comment
  • The extended print run, the piano rolls and the recording, as well as a string of articles, reviews, and advertisements in trade journals, indicate that this song was very successful as early as June 1918 and remained in public favor at least through 1919. It persisted in America’s memory and was revived during World War II. At least five piano rolls were made. Three were released in August: one on Angelus, one on Rythmodik (Lew Pollack and Victor Arden), and one on Aeolian (W. H. Rees and Coats
  • Universal 3019 and Duo Art 1595). The fourth was released in October on Connorized (6338, Sam A. Perry and Edwin Sheres), and the fifth in November by Musicnote Roll Co. (Song Roll 137, no performer given). Greek Evans recorded the song on Emerson 972, released in October 1918.
Historical Note
  • This title had at least three printings
  • this is the third, released after November 1918, judging by the back cover. The original copyright registration identifies F. Henri Klickmann as the composer. Wilbur D. Nesbit coined the phrase “Let’s Keep the Glow in Old Glory” in March 1918 as a slogan for the Third Liberty Loan campaign
  • he expanded it to a song lyric later that month, to which Klickmann immediately provided music. A January 1919 advertisement indicates that arrangements for orchestra and band were also issued. The cover image first appeared on the cover of the April issue of the Delineator, a women’s magazine issued by the Butterick Publishing Company. It was subsequently used on a Liberty Loan poster.
Musical Note
A straightforward march in cut time, dotted with rat-a-tat-tat figures and chains of secondary dominants. Although the lyric evokes “The Star Spangled Banner” and “Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean,” there are no musical quotations.
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music  
  • Popular music -- 1911-1920  
  • Flags -- United States -- Songs and music  
  • Liberty loans -- Songs and music  
Lyrics
  • Let’s Keep the Glow in Old Glory and the Free in Freedom Too [Verse] Columbia calls to us all to day, Calls to day, she’s calling me and you. She calls to the boys who have marched away For the old red, white and blue. [Refrain] Let’s keep the glow in Old Glory, Let’s keep the flag floating high
  • Let’s keep each star in the field of blue As clear as the stars in the sky. Let’s all stand shoulder to shoulder, Let’s keep our loyalty true
  • Let’s keep the glow in Old Glory, And the free in freedom too. [Verse] O say, can you see, as they did of yore, Floating high, the emblem of the free? It sends us its call as it has before, And it sounds from sea to sea. [Refrain] [Verse] By day ev’ry thought has the same refrain, Dreams by night, they summon me and you To prove to the world there shall be no stain On the old red white and blue. [Refrain]
Musical Genre
March song
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Artist
Ker, William Balfour  
Cover Description
  • Allegorical woman (Columbia) carrying child, both looking forward
  • a US flag is draped across her, becoming her robe
  • the woman and child appear above mixed troops marching forward with rifles, bayonets afixed.
Back Cover Description
First page (verse) of “The Song of a Mother’s Heart” (© 1918 04 01).
Performance Medium
voice and piano  
Original Location
  • Record Series 12/9/96
  • Series 2, Box 17, Folder 4
Local Identifier
2014_12996_470
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
TitleLet's Keep the Glow in Old Glory and the Free in Freedom Too
ComposerSperoy, Robert [pseudonym for F. Henri Klickmann]  
LyricistNesbit, Wilbur D.  
PublisherFrank K. Root & Co. [McKinley Music Co.]  
Place of PublicationChicago (Ill.)  
Year of Publication1918  
Date of Copyright1918-04-08
Physical Description1 score ([1], [2]–[3], [1] p.). Folio.
Comment
  • The extended print run, the piano rolls and the recording, as well as a string of articles, reviews, and advertisements in trade journals, indicate that this song was very successful as early as June 1918 and remained in public favor at least through 1919. It persisted in America’s memory and was revived during World War II. At least five piano rolls were made. Three were released in August: one on Angelus, one on Rythmodik (Lew Pollack and Victor Arden), and one on Aeolian (W. H. Rees and Coats
  • Universal 3019 and Duo Art 1595). The fourth was released in October on Connorized (6338, Sam A. Perry and Edwin Sheres), and the fifth in November by Musicnote Roll Co. (Song Roll 137, no performer given). Greek Evans recorded the song on Emerson 972, released in October 1918.
Historical Note
  • This title had at least three printings
  • this is the third, released after November 1918, judging by the back cover. The original copyright registration identifies F. Henri Klickmann as the composer. Wilbur D. Nesbit coined the phrase “Let’s Keep the Glow in Old Glory” in March 1918 as a slogan for the Third Liberty Loan campaign
  • he expanded it to a song lyric later that month, to which Klickmann immediately provided music. A January 1919 advertisement indicates that arrangements for orchestra and band were also issued. The cover image first appeared on the cover of the April issue of the Delineator, a women’s magazine issued by the Butterick Publishing Company. It was subsequently used on a Liberty Loan poster.
Musical NoteA straightforward march in cut time, dotted with rat-a-tat-tat figures and chains of secondary dominants. Although the lyric evokes “The Star Spangled Banner” and “Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean,” there are no musical quotations.
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music  
  • Popular music -- 1911-1920  
  • Flags -- United States -- Songs and music  
  • Liberty loans -- Songs and music  
Lyrics
  • Let’s Keep the Glow in Old Glory and the Free in Freedom Too [Verse] Columbia calls to us all to day, Calls to day, she’s calling me and you. She calls to the boys who have marched away For the old red, white and blue. [Refrain] Let’s keep the glow in Old Glory, Let’s keep the flag floating high
  • Let’s keep each star in the field of blue As clear as the stars in the sky. Let’s all stand shoulder to shoulder, Let’s keep our loyalty true
  • Let’s keep the glow in Old Glory, And the free in freedom too. [Verse] O say, can you see, as they did of yore, Floating high, the emblem of the free? It sends us its call as it has before, And it sounds from sea to sea. [Refrain] [Verse] By day ev’ry thought has the same refrain, Dreams by night, they summon me and you To prove to the world there shall be no stain On the old red white and blue. [Refrain]
Musical GenreMarch song
RepositoryUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
ArtistKer, William Balfour  
Cover Description
  • Allegorical woman (Columbia) carrying child, both looking forward
  • a US flag is draped across her, becoming her robe
  • the woman and child appear above mixed troops marching forward with rifles, bayonets afixed.
Back Cover DescriptionFirst page (verse) of “The Song of a Mother’s Heart” (© 1918 04 01).
Performance Mediumvoice and piano  
Original Location
  • Record Series 12/9/96
  • Series 2, Box 17, Folder 4
Local Identifier2014_12996_470
Collection TitleJames Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
CollectionJames Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Download Options

  Zip of Original Files…   Zip of JPEGs PDF
Let's Keep The Glow In Old Glory and the Free In Freedom Too - Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
Let's Keep The Glow In Old Glory and the Free In Freedom Too - Page 2
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
Let's Keep The Glow In Old Glory and the Free In Freedom Too - Page 3
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
Let's Keep The Glow In Old Glory and the Free In Freedom Too - Back Cover
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…
Let's Keep The Glow In Old Glory and the Free In Freedom Too - Lyrics
Original File (PDF)
Email Curator About This Item